Benno Moiseiwitsch’s recital at Bulawayo City Hall last night was a solemn and moving occasion.
Nobody present will easily forget the spectacle of this great man fighting the cruel caprices of a technique yielding to age to demonstrate the wisdom, dignity and humanity of his readings.
Schubert’s Impromptu in A flat Op. 142, made us immediately aware of the depth of his feeling for the music, a feeling which was sustained through the Beethoven’s “Waldstein” Sonata, despite two technically perilous moments.
Unfortunate
It is perhaps unfortunate that he chose to play this sonata and Schumann’s “Carnival” when the compelling performances of these works given by Tamas Vasary were still so vivid in memory. But he saved astonishing technical resources for a broad and glowing performance of Moussorgsky’s colourful “Pictures at an Exhibition” – a triumphant exhibition of a spirit overcoming the indignities of old age.